The role of the school social worker in promoting the psychosocial well-being of vulnerable children within the Esikhaleni Senkosi Circuit primary schools in Kwazulu-Natal
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Date
2022-03
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University of Zululand
Abstract
The number of vulnerable children has been growing globally, with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest number. Mostly, vulnerable children are orphaned and neglected, and it is therefore important that they are provided with psychosocial well-being. However, this may not always be the case as some families are not equipped with relevant skills to provide the psychosocial support required by vulnerable children. If the psychosocial needs of vulnerable children are unmet, they are at risk of experiencing emotional, physical, and psychological issues, which negatively affect their academic performance. In this sense, the role played by school social workers can never be underestimated as they are responsible for the promotion of the psychosocial well-being of school children. The study was triggered by the minimal psychosocial support offered to vulnerable school children, due to a lack of professionals in schools such as social workers, psychologists, and counsellors. On the other hand, neglect is the daunting problem facing most school pupils, dominantly orphaned children. The study was aimed at investigating the role of school social workers in promoting the psychosocial well-being of vulnerable children in schools, particularly those who are orphaned and neglected. The interpretive paradigm was employed, using exploratory and descriptive research designs in a qualitative manner. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 school social workers and were purposefully selected from all 26 primary schools within the Esikhaleni Senkosi Circuit. Data was analysed qualitatively through the thematic analysis method. The results established several psychosocial problems facing vulnerable children in schools, dominantly, a lack of a birth certificate, bullying, low self-esteem, financial constraints, neglect and emotional and physical abuse. Various interventions
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Social Work, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, at the University of Zululand, 2022.